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Fungi Includes yeast, molds, mushrooms, and other species similar to plants but lacking chlorophyll. Mycotoxins are produced from fungal infection of plant crops and pose a biohazard risk. –Asperigillus flavus which produces aflatoxin can grow on fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds, especially those produced and/or stored in warm and humid climates.

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Viruses Originate as a virion, encapsulated DNA or RNA. Incorporate into host DNA. –DNA viruses directly integrate. –RNA viruses are reverse transcribed to DNA and then integrate. Use the hosts metabolism to replicate, make capsids, and infect more cells.

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Prion Proteinaceous infectious particle, believed to cause mad cow disease (BSE) and be transmittable to humans. Maintains its pathogenicity after 29 months in soil contaminated from excrement of infected animals. Human and animal outbreaks occur from consuming contaminated feed. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a neurological and fatal human form of the disease.

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Summary Microbes grow rapidly & are present in food. Microbes causing food-borne illness include; parasites, protozoa, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and prion proteins. Food-borne illness causes severe GI distress, pH and electrolyte imbalances, and can be life- threatening. Some microbes are beneficial. References for this presentation are the same as those for this topic found in module 6 of the textbook